A Walk Around Inokashira Koen

In Search of the Last of the Momiji

Inokashira Park is the closest of the bigger parks near my house. It is extremely beautiful in the changing seasons. I took the opportunity of the first sunny day when I had nothing else to do, to take a walk there with Dad’s heavy duty Nikon camera in search for the last of the Momiji – the Maple trees. Most usually lose their leaves by this time in the rest of Japan. But Tokyo is warmer, and December 2008 was even warmer than before, so there were still many trees with leaves still changing their colour before dying out. Here are some photographs of what I saw…

One day, when I was jaded with studies, I sat daydreaming about all the things I will do when I go to Japan next. The result was the following list:

1. Karaoke to my heart’s desire.
2. Visit Nikko and Hakone.
3. Attend a Sumo match.
4. Watch a Kabuki performance.
5. See cosu-play at Harajuku.
6. Climb Mt. Fuji to the top.
7. Relax at an open air onsen.
8. Do purikura.
9. Eat vegetarian sushi at a kaiten-zushi place. (Kappa Maki!!)
10. Visit Asakusa and drop 100yen at Senso-ji.
11. Take a walk around Inokashira Park.
12. Go to Tokyo Disneyland.
13. Play Taiko Drums at a game center.
14. See Sapporo Snow Festival.
15. Try new Starbucks flavours.
16. Visit Ueno Zoological gardens and the various Museums in Ueno.
17. Eat ice-cream mochi!
18. Buy a Daruma.
19. Call up all my friends in Okinawa and surprise them!

now I am doing these activities... some are not possible now - like climb Fuji to the top (as it is closed for the winters) but am trying to do as many...I will keep crossing them out as I accomplish them. let's see.... gambare to me!

blogs will follow... :)

A Game of Tag

I have been Tagged by Rachel to write 7 strange/random things about myself. It was really difficult. First to think of them. Second to muster up courage to declare them! Here they are:

1. I am addicted to games. I don't own a wii or a DS. The last gaming unit I owned was the old style Nintendo bought in 1990 which had Mario Brothers and the duck/clay shooting thing. I also had a hand held Peanuts Tennis video game and a falling-fish-to-catch-in-the-pot video game, but they were forcibly gifted to cousins before I could have enough of them. It was so long ago that I don't even remember if those video games had a special name.. But I don't dare buy any new units because I know of my addiction. Already I could waste all my valuable time playing on the computer or my mobile, and that too without much guilt. Sometimes I bribe myself to work straight for an hour to get to play one game of mah jong to get my work done.

2. I have visions of head banging to heavy metal inside the Metro. I have come close to doing it, but I think it will just look very foolish and make people stare more than they already do. And staring faces always take the fun out of anything..

3. I am revolted by the sound of burping. More disgusted by it than any other sound in the world! Especially while I am eating, and if someone burps, I just can't eat anymore. I have to start counting in my head or think nice thoughts before my world gets back to normal. And in my joint family's house, most of my uncles burp very loudly. They also try to mask it by saying 'omm' at the same time (this is one those North Indian things..).It just drives me nuts!

4. I think about death quite a lot. So, I know the exact way I would commit suicide if I had to. I would simple walk into the sea. (I know, very Virginia Woolf of me.. ) I would wear some white-coloured cotton outfit and the single conch shell necklace I made. I would be reciting "Death be not Proud" by John Donne. And I would have taken some sleeping pills before to ease the struggle with water to breathe...

this brings me to the fifth one:

5. If I don't commit suicide before I die, I want to have a burial at sea after I die. I don't want to be cremated, nor do I want to be buried in the earth. I want my body to be slipped into the sea not covered in any bag or coffin. I know the thought of being fish-food is kinda scary, but aren't being burned up or locked up for eternity in a box equally bad? Once dead I can hardly know pain, so I take the ecologically best solution.
Oh, I also want a recitation of "Death be not Proud" for my 'funeral'.

6. I am intrigued by incest. I wonder whether it is really wrong. I think it is, but what if its OK as long as it doesn't end up with biological reproduction of a monstrous being.. Just the same with sexual promiscuity. I think it might be wrong but heck! it is so interesting. Stories about both revolt and at the same time delight (in terms of complexity - not pornographic delight...). This ambiguity for me is highly interesting. It gets me all confused and my 'morals' go topsy-turvy. I don't have a brother, so maybe that's why incest seems OK in theory (maybe... perhaps...). I really can't say... But I love the debate.

7. Last. I am a collector. I love collecting things. Stamps, coins, rocks, shells, countries, books, movies, audio albums, stickers, stationery, greeting cards, you name it. I thinks its like the same compulsion that makes me want to make lists and organise things. If I have one thing, how many of its various kinds can be possible to be grouped together? It's like an insane drive to have and possess. But I am highly proud of my stamp collection nonetheless. And whoever inherits it after I die must take great care of it! :)

That's the list. Now, I tag Isa, Varsha, Rajarshi, Elina, and Liz. Keep it going people!

Centenary Celebrations of Hindi-Urdu Teaching in Japan

Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Japan celebrated the 100 years of Hindi Urdu Teaching in Japan. It was the perhaps the very first university in the world to initiate the teaching of Hindustani language in the year 1908. In 1958, Hindi and Urdu began being taught separately. From December 12-14, 2008 a conference was held in order to celebrate this momentous event.

on my mind

There is plenty that I need to write about, but didn't have the time, what with packing for my trip and worrying about my upcoming Dissertation.

The tension is in the uncertainty. We are made to submit 3 proposals all in different areas of interest. Now this is a Dissertation with counts for 3 times its grades in the overall grading. It will be the primary source of questions for the viva at the end of the course. It is also one that could potentially be an abstract for our future PhD. Thus, it is not a simple paper one just writes up. Its a 25,000 word pain-in-the-ass. So, when we are made to write 3 proposals of what we can work on, its no joking matter. But there is a joke... we don't really have any guarantee that our first preference will be taken up by a supervisor. Earlier, one could state preference for a supervisor, go to him/her and speak/discuss the topic, get feedback/suggestions. Also, this meant that chances of your first preference being chosen were strong. This time, due to some reason, the department decided they will not let students approach teachers. Which means that maybe there might be no teacher enthusiastic about my first choice. or my second choice. and I may end up with my third which I wrote just for the heck of it. My first two topics are quite radical. or at least they seem so to me when I think if there will be anyone interested in them. so I am going nuts over whether my first will be given to me. At this point I really don't care who my supervisor is, as all the teachers are world-class and quite helpful. I wouldn't want someone I never worked with or studied under, but I wouldn't mind it as long I get the first! There might be a meeting and I will miss it as I am leaving. Also, I may not really have an opportunity to negotiate if I am not around. So I have been in worry-mode these past few days.

As for the trip, it seems doomed from the start. Flying on December 6, the day of the anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid.... The airport is under tight security as intelligence agencies alert us of 9/11 style hijacking and attacks.... We will cross our fingers and hope for the best. Packing is ongoing and I will write more again. Need to write a blog on the Mumbai attacks and the 7 strange things tag!! coming soon...

I voted!

OK, this relates to the American elections 2008... old news.... BUT I like the end, which stands true for today. 7th minutes onwards.... I did my duty today and voted in the Delhi Elections. Although I don't put too much faith in the power of elections in India - all parties are truly and wholeheartedly corrupt. Yet, one must select the lesser of the multiple evils...

This is a brilliant bit by one of my favourite TV personalities, and one of his funny and yet very significant monologues. I saw it a long time ago. I decided to embed it here, because it doesn't matter whether its about another country, the democratic process is the same! and besides, I just needed a reason to put Craig Ferguson on my blog! :)

Firsts in the metro:

A record of weird/sad sights and smells while travelling in the Metro (on different days):

• A woman breastfeeding her baby during World Breastfeeding week.
• A locust steadily spirally climbing the support pole to the top.
• The nauseating smell of unboiled milk every time the doors opened for each station.
• Two butterflies flitting around inside.
• A woman from a very low-income group pissing her baby inside the compartment.
• A man in a wheelchair (seen on the same day I found barrier-free constructions in my Alma Mater)
• On Independence Day (15th Aug 2008), the AirCon's electric circuit shorted at Ram Krishna Ashram Marg. There were many strange bomb-blast-like sounds and visible electric sparks. Everyone rushed out the Metro in panic. Earlier the train had stopped in the middle a couple of times. When the driver signaled everyone to board the train, he announced that the first two compartments will have no air conditioning.

Soaps and Cleansers

There is a battle being waged these days in Mumbai. It is between producers of Hindi soap operas and the set workers, who are opposing the outdated pay they get for their services. It has resulted in a total shutdown of shooting, thus the lack of new episodes for airing. I embrace this third kind of 'meltdown'. (The term has been made much famous in light of the economic crisis rather than the real issue - the global warming one! So I take the liberty of further trivializing it! pardons to anyone offended by me)

The best thing about this meltdown of soaps is the peace, quiet and serenity in the temple of my home. Having to spend most of my time at home was driving me crazy for the simple reason that every day my mother had the TV on for longer than time itself, with the perpetual background music of the soaps seeping into my closed room regardless of heavy wooden doors! Usually I am not bothered by noise. But this was insane! She would watch reruns in the day and they repeated the same crap all over again twice at different times!! From morning to night in an endless loop, one soap after the other!! Is it not enough to see the episode once, get to know how the story has progressed (or rather in this case - digressed with another devious intrigue plotted with the same might as of a chess move) and then wait for the new episode? Does one really have to see the same episode twice again the next day? How difficult is it to retain the no-brainer 'stories' of these endless soaps anyway?

I know this doesn't bode well for my mom - who is being depicted as one of those moronic desperate housewives sitting at home with nothing to do except watch TV! Interestingly, my mom was never like this only recently she has been getting there. She never was interested in TV much. But she has a tendency to bow down under peer pressure! Yes! She goes to these weekly kirtans - a sort of prayer sessions with songs sung in gods' celebration. There she meets these other aunties of the Society. And obviously after so much religion, they have to gossip and chat about the latest episode of this or that and what sari was worn by the females! Thus, a victim to peer pressure my mom started watching soaps so she will not be left behind in these conversations, and is now officially hooked. Before them, it was the endless music reality shows (like American Idol). Especially the ones with children competing. My mom loves children and loves to see them sing and dance. She thinks its all very cute. She would get emotional for their sad lives shown for generating sympathy. She thought it was really real. Poor mom. She had to have her maternal-ness being shouted at by me accusing her of enjoying child labour!

When the strike first occured 2 days ago, I rejoiced. All I needed more was for the reality shows to stop as well, and I would be walking on air. But alas! the TV channels keep repeating the old episodes - flashbacks they call them! And once again my locked and bolted room is not clean of the uninvited soaps sounds.

falling from out of ennui..

Just when you think that life has absolutely no excitement, thrill, adventure and life seems to be endless series of daily drudgery.... something falls from the sky.

Literally, in this case, a four year old child from the sixth floor (American seventh floor).

I was going along with my mom and sis to give the traditional Diwali gift to family friends. Our hired car had only reached the main gate - the entrance to our Apartment complex - when suddenly a woman with frantic gestures stopped us. When mom rolled down her window, the woman told us that a child had fallen from above and she was new to the Society and didn't know who's child it was, so if we could identify him and do something... We rushed out (in semi-disbelief), but could not recognise the child. He had fallen on a parked car and then on to the concrete. He was still alive though unconscious. The gate guards and the ironing lady and other people there were trying to help but there was more panic and a loss of words and actions. None of us really knew what to do except to get him to a hospital quick. Our driver instantly picked up the boy and wanted to take him to the hospital. I told the guards to try the intercom numbers of all the apartments in that line to find out if the child was theirs. In this time, a man came down and took the child from our driver. He turned out to be the father. In panic, we sat in the car to go to the hospital. As we were about to go a woman started banging on the car windows. She turned out to be the mother. They didn't speak Hindi and were guests of one of the Society members, having come here for the same purpose we were heading out - distribution of Diwali gifts.

When we reached the hospital, my mom told my sister to guide them up to the Emergency ward since they probably didn't know the place. My sis said that the child was groaning in the lift but didn't seem to recover consciousness. My sis came back to the car, only to find that our driver had disappeared. We were already running late for our tasks and these events didn't help. The driver was late in reporting to us, then the child fell, then the driver went up to the hospital trying to find out what was going on, and when we were on our way, one of the tyres got punctured!!

It was an eventful day. But more tragic if anything. The Diwali festival is ruined for a family as their child struggles to live. We can only pray for him.

Post Script: I have been late in publishing this post, and on this day I have sad news. The boy succumbed to the injuries he sustained after struggling for 4 days in the ICU. May he rest in peace...

My Kafkaesque Day

It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining. The birds were chirping. Everything was going as usual. I had woken late and had had a good breakfast as I read the newspaper. Suddenly, out of the blue, I get this strange call. Its from someone with a very strong Jat accent. (Jat is the name of a community of people from Haryana (an Indian State) and these people are known for their aggressive we-don't-care-a shit-for anyone-but-ourselves attitude.) This man said he was a Court Official and he was summoning me to the Court. There were accusations levied on me under three sections and I had to appear at Delhi High Court within an hour with an Identity proof and a certain amount of money.

I, of course, thought all this was a joke. I kept repeating to myself, "This is a prank." Sometimes people play a prank on others on live radio. I kept a serious tone, and did not burst into laughter, even though I was on the verge of it.

I asked the guy what exactly was up and he replied suggesting that he was shocked I didn't know anything of this. I demanded whether a written summons was delivered to me, and he mumbled something. I couldn't understand most of what he was saying anyway because he was talking in an accent I run away from. I don't have any friends who speak like that. It is an extremely rude accent and decent human beings do not speak in it. So, I asked him to wait and handed the phone to mom to speak with him. She got very scared. She was trembling, but still she was able to understand him better than me. The man gave a telephone number of some advocate and asked her to speak with about this issue.

We instantly called up my very resourceful uncle. We told him of the call and gave him all the information we had - the name of the advocate, his number, and the number where I got the call from. My uncle asked me whether there was any credit card amount I owed. This was a strange question, as I don't have a credit card; I don't wish to ever in my life own a credit card; and recently I got a call from ICICI bank saying that I had applied for a credit card, they had all my info, and were checking up on the address. It was weird that my uncle made a link with the Court Official's call I got and a credit card bill as I could see no connection whatsoever.

My uncle explained that this type of thing had happened with him over an unpaid credit card bill and that companies forward this to recovery agents who extort the money and their fees from the faulty customers.

The strangest part in all this was that I had never applied for an ICICI credit card but they had my full name, my home phone number and my old address. They were adamant on taking my cellphone number, which I was refusing to give because I had suffered stupid 'frensip' calls to the point where I wanted a new cell number. I had gotten rid of those calls by actually making someone - a male friend - call back the dude and scold him with a Jat accent!!! I kept saying speak to me on this phone. And interestingly, after talking to me, they called up my uncle to get my cellphone number when I refused to give it. My uncle called to tell that he given it and I became furious. There were too many confusing aspects to this:

1. How did ICICI Bank have all my info - name address telephone - when I never applied?
2. How did they have my home number AND my uncle's number?
3. Why were they adamant to have my cell number?
4. How come they used a specific line in the address "near Arya Samaj Temple" - a line I never used in my old address?

My uncle set his men on the task and they found out the business. It was over some Airtel bill. My sister used a postpaid cellphone plan which was in my name. She had recently changed the same number to another plan in her own name. But she had made all the payments and cleared all dues before doing so, as of course, they wouldn't have changed it in the first place if she hadn't. Thus, it was a definite breach of trust on Airtel's part for having forwarded a bill to a recovery agent! We all were very furious. Especially as the bill amount was a measly 230 rupees. My sister never used her phone for that small an amount and we searched all the past bills, there was no bill for that amount. And we were certain that it was Airtel because my uncle had included the line "near Arya Samaj Temple" when he got the connection for me!

In the night when my sis came back home, and we discussed the matter completely, she called up Airtel's customer service and asked them what bill was due and when they said none, she gave them the best calm and serene scolding I have ever heard in my life! How dare they put us into such trouble for something they said didn't exist! We have been loyal Airtel customers. We don't even look elsewhere. Everybody in the family has an Airtel service. My mausaji is Airtel's fourth customer since it first started! I, freaking, owned a phone which had some 1000 rupees on it, which I lost while in Okinawa! And they put us to such trouble over Rs. 230?? Airtel probably does business in multi-billions of rupees and it forwards 230 rupee bills to recovery agents who threaten people! Despicable! Abominable behaviour on Airtel's part! Makes me sick to be an Airtel customer!

Dear Reader, I know my day was not so Kafkaesque even though I term it so. The Trial didn't really happen. I have not been sacrificed without a meaningful death. But something has died. A trust, a belief. I don't know how many countless insults like this happens everyday across the country. But I am certain that if very such a thing happens again, Airtel will be hearing from a Court Official next, when I sue their corporate asses for such a shameful deed on their part!

why does it have to hurt
when we touch the oven,
the heat that warms the stomach
and eases hunger pangs?

uninspired and dry
I still attempt to write
a little line or a tiny word
of nothingness.

There is smell of smoke and a crispness in the air.

The days are getting shorter, but festive energy abounds.

It can mean only one thing - Diwali is here!

Little flames on the cake,
you signify mortality.
But ah! sweet is the anticipation
to blow you out!

the iridescent shell

is shattered

the flawed pearl is lost

The chirping cricket kept me up all night
I tried to shut it up but in vain
Now I am very sleepy

a patch of blue
is all we need
to ease the summer murkiness.

rainbows in the eye
as a teardrop forms
sadness of the lonely

freeze

Imagine such a thing happening at Rajiv Chowk Metro Station...

...anybody game?

nostalgia

when words don't come easily
when every nerve in the body
has been sensitized by pain
when the throat chokes
and the bile increase
when tears don't flow easily
when you gasp for air
and a little deliverance
enter the empty space where memories disappear

blind faith

I was tested today. It was a test in blind faith in another human being... well, actually a family.

I was walking back home from the market this evening. The sun had gone down in a blaze of red and it was dark by the time I reached the road to my apartment complex. Just outside the complex, I saw a man with his wife and the wife holding a baby in her arms. They were looking very lost and as I approached them, something inside me wanted to ask them what was wrong, and if I could help in any way. I held back and didn't ask. But the man spoke up as I passed by, and asked if I could speak Marathi (a regional language of India, primarily spoken in the state called Maharashtra). I said no. Hindi? yes. He said some men ran off with their money and they were stranded in Delhi without food, without shelter. He is a house painter, but obviously could not find work at that time of day. They looked working class, but were not in rags. They were hungry and thirsty and tired, but worst, they were dejected. He expressed his pain at having come to beg like this and asked for money to go back to Maharashtra. He said he would send the money back if I could give an address where to send it.

I was uncomfortable. I thought maybe they needed directions to get somewhere. I would have gladly helped with that. But when it came to money, I get very uncomfortable. Even with beggars, I have mixed feelings. I want to help, but is my loose change actually helping? In India, we are made to distrust beggars from a very young age. Maybe we have so many beggars that those who are in a better financial condition simply create this distrust in order not to succumb to each and every one of them, even those who perhaps in all probability are actually destitute.

Most crucial is the question: Will giving money to a beggar actually propel him/her to work instead of simply begging? Some actually have day jobs at construction sites and beg by night for a few extra rupees. Or set their innumerable children to do the begging at streetlights, markets and tourist spots.

My oldest memory of a beggar is when we were travelling somewhere. I was maybe 4 or 5 yrs old. It was winters. And we were eating. This little boy who was about 4-5 years old too, and had absolutely no clothes on his impoverished body came to us. My mom gave him some of the food we had. He went away, but left behind a string of uncomfortable questions and an unerasable trace in my mind. "Why is he naked, mummy? Why does he ask for food? Where are his parents? Why is he poor? What is poor? Why don't all people have money? How can we remove poverty, mummy?" My mom never had any final and conclusive answers for me. One question always led to another. Even today, do we have any answers? There isn't any answer.

But these people, were just better-dressed beggars, con-men, or actually in real trouble? There is no answer to this question either. It was simply a matter of trusting their word. I offered food. He said someone gave them biscuits. I said I couldn't give them money, I was a student... He asked if there was any other person who could help... I said, ok, wait, I will try.

I came upstairs. quickly filled a small bottle with milk for the baby, and a larger bottle with cold water. put them in a polybag. got out a 100 rupee note from my wallet and went back down. They were still there, waiting for me. The security guard saw it all, as I showed the milk and water and money to the man, said it was all that I could do and left. I didn't give him much time to feel embarrassed at the charity nor did I receive profuse thanks. I walked away still feeling confused, telling myself I did good. I had more than a hundred rupees worth cake and multi-grain bread in my hand when I encountered them. It was a luxury that I would consume without a thought. But for these, a hundred rupees may mean more than anything at this moment. (Rs. 100 is less than $2.50, about 300 yen, it is a small amount in USA or Japan, but most working class Indians don't earn that much in a day.)

I don't know if I did right. I thought, let me trust and have blind faith in their word. I don't know if I did right because it is a human tendency to distrust. But I also feel naive. I am trusting someone I don't know and giving them a big amount of money. (normally one would give Rs. 5 to a beggar, or 10 in some cases). I didn't feel completely happy with what I did. Only because I feel everyone else would tell me I am stupid to have given in. I felt guilty telling my sister, even though she said it was ok. She didn't say I was silly. I don't know why in this case I need approval from others. I never usually do. I listen to my instincts and go with it. Why should I feel that maybe I have been duped? They really did look lost and I wanted to help. So I did. Was it wrong of me to? Is it wrong of me to be having these thoughts?

I console myself that I do not go to temples and offer donations, but have done something that is in a way equivalent to that blind faith. And maybe I have done more good than giving at a temple, if it helps this family. I always become angry at the hordes of people who go to temples and in the name of offerings give away more than they would to a person in need.

There was once a major event when many Hindus all over the city received calls early in the morning, that Ganeshas will drink milk today. The news spread like wildfire. And everyone went to their neighbourhood temples to offer milk to Ganeshji. I cannot count how many litres of milk was sold, and touched to the lips of that stone idol, and wasted by countless people. I refused to go. My friends came to summon me so we could go together, and I said it was bullshit, and that I would rather give the milk to a poor and hungry person. My friends were horrified at my atheism and I didn't care. I was proud to be above these silly mortals. I was proud that my family (mom, dad and sis - i.e. excluding relatives) did not go to feed Ganesh. I always believe in paying it forward - to my peers, to my fellow human beings - not to an unknown and unknowable God. I had an opportunity today to put my belief in action.

If religion is blind faith, then my religion is believing in human beings. There are doubts in this religion as in any other. Doubts that undermine the faith. Faith that has to fight its way.

Question is - have I passed the test of faith?

Rakhi

In this day and age, I find some customs really silly. One of them occurs on the festival day of Raksha Bandhan. Sisters tie a Rakhi on their brother's wrist, do tika, give a dry coconut and the brothers give money/gift and promise to protect them in return... The main good this festival does, is that it gives an opportunity to meet up with family members and relatives. I would usually not bother with the useless ceremony, but I live in family of strong beliefs and so I cannot hurt their feelings.

I don't have any real brother of my own, but I have 4 cousins - 2 born to my dad's younger brother, and 2 born to my mom's 2 brothers. There is also the little boy of a family we met in Mauritius and are close to. They share our ancestral surname - Agarwal, and thus, felt that we are all one family. Mohit, the boy wanted Didi and I to tie Rakhi on him, so we have been sending Rakhies by post.

This year, only he and my youngest cousin were available. The other 3 were out of Delhi. This youngest cousin, Krishna, is a 5-year old bunch of naughtiness which drives me insane. He never listens and always does the opposite of what you tell him to do. I got toy rakhies for him this year, ie, it was a ribbon with small toys stuck on it. Of course, they were torn out the minute they were tied! When he went to the market with Mamu (my uncle, his dad), we girls had loads of fun racing the cars.

We went to a new part of Delhi to meet the other 'brother'. I hadn't met them in a long time and the kids are so grown up that I felt very old! Ashi was a few months old when I first saw her and played with her! and Mohit was 4-5 years old. Time flies so fast, and meeting them made me realise how long ago it was when I lived in Mauritius.

When coming back home, a really embarrassing thing happened! A guy was sitting on a seat reserved for ladies. I challenged my sister to ask him to vacate the seat. She said, forget it, poor brother, today let him enjoy the seat. And I said, on the other hand, at least on this day, the brothers should be vacating seats for their sisters. And maybe I spoke too loudly, for the guy sitting with his mom stood up shamefaced. I think I blushed a very deep-red because I was just saying in general and the look on his face was as if I had directed my words at him alone!

Later that night, my sister's 'brother' treated us to dinner at the Air Warrior's Club at the Air Force base in Delhi. It was just like entering Camp Schwab in Okinawa for me. Sarthak's dad is in the Indian Air Force, so he has a 'base pass' :) ...good times..

baby jamun

I sowed a Jamun seed about a month ago. And have waited patiently for this day. My mom had given up hope and wanted to use the pot for something else. But I persevered. This morning I woke up and went to see how me plants were doing, and behold...


am feeling like a proud parent.... :)

awesome day...

I had made a list of things to do post-papers and I was able to strike off two items from it today:

1. Watch "The Dark Knight" and,
2. Go somewhere fun.

My sis, her 'brother' and I headed off to Saket to watch the movie. We got horrible seats even though we came two hours before to buy them! My neck still hasn't recovered :( ! From next time, I shall definitely book tickets online! Last time you know what happened (read the previous blog post...) ergo, I am not taking chances, my movie luck seems to have gotten depleted.

So... The movie was awesome. Everyone kept saying its very dark. I didn't think so. It was, but not so much that that would be its only quality. The story was what excited me most. I guess for Batman fans it would have been so obvious with Harvey Dent flipping his coin. But I realized he would be Two-Face only when his face actually catches fire. I never read the comics and Batman has always been just another superhero for me. I guess being a girl who is more into literature, comic books come second and aren't very important. Thus the way the story was reinterpreted in the movies have been very exciting. I also liked that in Nolan's version, Gotham City is like any present-day metropolitan city. Not like previous versions where it has been fictionalized into this magical, unrealistic dream landscape almost. I liked that the characters were realistic and relatable. I don’t remember what the name is, but the Batman movie with Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy… Or Jim Carey overacting as the Riddler... it just reduced the action to banal ridiculous events with the overdone fantasy elements.

From my mobile phone camera:

And Heath was great! I still can't believe he is no more. Why did his last movie have had to be the one in which his handsome face was covered...?

Aside: While watching the movie, I had my cell phone in my lap. I didn’t realize when it slipped off and suddenly when I realized I didn’t have it, I panicked. My sis showed me light with hers and I found my dear old big fat mobile under the seat in front of me. I came so close to losing it, my heart nearly stopped! It’s the worst thing that could happen to me. Thank God it didn’t happen!

And I found my second favourite Barista drink - Swiss Mocha Frappe! (the one in the center)

After the movie, we headed off to Gurgaon in search of this Karaoke place Sarthak had seen while driving by. After getting stuck in traffic and having to take plenty U-turns we finally reached it, and it turned out to be so expensive! The deal was, you hire the room and order food worth at least Rs. 5000 (about $110) and you can sing for an unlimited time period. And you have to book one day at least in advance for it. We were only 3 people and we had 3 hours before the place closed. So it wasn’t worth the big bucks... Maybe I will go another time, if there are more people to split the cost between us and more time to enjoy the food and singing.

Instead of Karaoke, we settled for bowling, go-carting, pool and air-hockey. It was a day of firsts: My first time ever coming to Gurgaon. Finding a Karaoke place in India was also a first. The very first bowling experience in India for me (and I have bowled only 3 times before that). First time playing air-hockey and I beat my sister with seven goals! It was also my very first go-carting experience, which I did not enjoy very much. My leg was cramped, I was hot, and the arm band was icky, and the helmet kept covering my eyes! I did 3 laps and didn’t care for the other 7 that had been paid for. My sis took my turns and I was glad to be sitting out!

Even though I didn’t enjoy go-carting, the day was fun overall. :)

you know... or know not!

A long over due blog on the only typical Bollywood movie I love---

It is called Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na. The post title is the literal translation of the name of this movie. A more meaningful title would perhaps be - whether you know, or you don't.

It has all those unrealistic elements that go into making a bollywood movie. All those elements that usually make me pull my hair with frustration. It has typical song-and-dance sequences; a talking portrait; two rude men in Cowboy-Western wear riding horses to nightclubs (who later turn out to be otherwise); it also has that stupid stop-her-from-leaving airport climax; and it also has some overacting. And yet, it was all directed brilliantly. The script is tight and kept one involved throughout. The humour was in good taste and the dramatic scenes nail-biting. (You might be thinking, well isn't this obvious? Ah! but you see, most Hindi films that are considered good, don't always have humour in good taste and nail-biting dramatic scenes.... ) The most amazing thing was that I am usually annoyed by clichés; but, in this movie, those very clichés had been redone brilliantly and by the end of the movie I wanted to see it again!

(Papu Can't Dance? I think he can and HAS! ;P )

I had actually gone to seen The Dark Knight with Isa, but when we reached the cinema, all the tickets were sold out! So we decided to go see Jaane Tu, even though Isa had already seen it on her computer. We went to another Cinema hall for that. Thankfully we got tickets there as we arrived there 2 and a half hours early for the show. We spent the time eating and shopping.

The movie started at 7:30 and ended at 10:25 pm. I was afraid I would miss the last train to Dwarka. We ran from the hall and I had to say excuse so many times and navigate my way through hordes of people who didn't understand my urgency! They were climbing down the staircase so slowly!! I thankfully reached 3 mins before the last train came and reached home like 11:45! That was the most late I have even come back home alone in Delhi! If I had missed the train, I would have had to go with Isa, as there were more trains for her stop. But I didn't want to do that. We had guests from USA at home, and plus, I didn't really want to go to the hostel that night.

I reached home safe and sound, met the guests, got a good humoured scolding from parents and was still happy because of the nice time I had had with my dear friend :) And because there can be an occasional clear blue sky and amazing sunset in Delhi :

Mr. Locust, you will scare Dali away!

My Mint plant had a visitor the other day...

Auld Lang Syne

yesterday night I found online one of my batch-mates from my old school. We have been keeping in touch through chat occasionally. Actually, I usually disappear for long durations and then when I resurface, we have a long conversation catching up with each others fast-paced lives. Yesterday we had a particularly interesting conversation recalling the good ole school times. And there was one particular incident that involved the two of us...

See, the story goes like this: We barely spoke to each other in class for the four-five years we studied together. At that time most boys and girls were still excessively shy around each other. So, while in school, I hardly knew this person. After loosing touch for 8 years, he initiated a chat with me some four years back. We had both joined a school batch mates group and came in contact again. Although I haven’t seen him in over 12 yrs, he is now a good friend.

While reminiscing about school days, I didn’t remember as many people and incidents as he did because I changed schools twice after class nine and I even moved to a new country for my A levels! He reminded me of this very embarrassing event in my school life - an event I shared with him: We both took a supplementary exam together.

These exams were held for those students who were either absent on the day of the exam or had not passed it the first time. Both of us were NOT in either of these categories. But by default everyone around would think that we failed the exam, and therefore, it was embarrassing! I, for one, was mortified. I was never the best student in class, but I was not one to fail exams either. I usually did moderately better than most. I wasn’t hardworking and diligent. I would spend all my time reading fiction, hardly bothering myself with homework! But I was not blasé enough to not care about failing or passing. It was a matter of big shame to get low marks! and failing was the pinnacle of humiliation.

Anyway, what really happened was that we both landed up at school to take the exam the day after it had already been held! I had forgotten about this episode until my friend reminded me of it yesterday! I spoke to my mom about it today and even she remembered it! And she told me that dad didn’t scold me the first time it happened (how could he? I came home red having cried my eyes out at a friends place coz I couldn’t go home directly!!). My dad chose to scold me after I came back from the supplementary. And I was mollified in retorting I wasn’t alone in this mistake! :)

It’s amazing what the mind wishes to keep stored up there. It’s been twelve years since it occurred, but I never thought I might forget this affair when it happened the first time round. It took my mother and a person whom I never thought that I’d be good friends with in future, to remind me of this small chapter in my life. It was funny remembering this stupid incident. And all this while I had not even realized it was this guy I was chatting with for 4 years who was the same guy I shared that mistake. And it’s probably the only interaction we had in school!

I was rolling on the floor laughing out loud yesterday chatting. It was nice. I haven’t laughed like this in a while. :)

Reason for a Headache

I went shopping with my cousins today. Even though I hate shopping, that's not really the reason for the most massive headache I have suffered from in a long while. I actually initiated this spree as I really was in need of stuff. Have been living minimalistically for some while now - just one pair of jeans, 2-3 shirts, and a pair of floaters!

When returning, less that 3 kms away from home, I got stuck is a massive traffic jam because the red-light at the crossing had stopped working. Of course every single one wanted to go and not stop to let anyone else pass. It resulted in the worst jam I have been in in a while. Some wise man actually came out and tried to resolve the confusion, and I wish there were awards for such pro-active citizens! I wanted to call the police but my cell phone signals disappeared. That has never happened to me before. I tried calling my dad and sis but how could I with no signal... What bewildered me most was that for the longest time there was no traffic cop in sight to resolve the mess! We have faced bomb blasts in two major cities of the country on 2 consecutive days, and 500 people have died because of terrorist attacks in the past year, and every time we are told that security is being tightened. What utter crap! What kind of security is it if a policeman is unavailable for over 20 minutes with over 500 vehicles mixed up and lined up at a major crossing??

The truth is that in a country with the 2nd largest population in the world, there is absolutely no value for life. So what if a few die, when there are more than 100 being born every minute? It is disgusting but our intelligence agencies are full of shit. Corruption is rampant and work is limited to how much can go into one;s pocket. The attitude is "Who cares anyway for something that is not benefiting me" and it is ingrained in every one of us. I mean, if people actually cared for the greater good, would there be such a jam in the first place?

Dali is awesome! So is Marquez!

Recently, I finished and turned in a 4000-word research paper on the representational similarities between Salvador Dali and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The basic point of the paper was to draw the commonalities of Surrealism in the paintings of Dali and of Magic Realism in Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude; the way in which imagination is deployed by the two in order to portrait the universal themes that cut across cultures; and the depiction/manipulation of time.

And I am still preoccupied with these great people's work.... I am reading Love in the Time of Cholera, and desperately searching for Destino, an animation project by Disney and Dali. the videos exist on YouTube but they aren't the best quality...

wrong Konnections

so yesterday a good friend and I went to see a movie. We saw Kismet Konnection. Though we really wanted to see another film more than this one, yet our urge to see any movie was stronger. The promos had seemed alright and I haven't been reading the papers these past few days so I didn't know what the critics had to say about it. It was a Hindi Bollywood film so naturally I had my doubts. But, the actor of this movie, Shahid Kapoor has blossomed into a gorgeous hunk (which means I didn't think much of him before his last film - Jab We Met) and I didn't mind ogling and drooling at him for a while ;P !!! And he did look good in this movie too. But, his looks could not save the movie as he overacted many a times.

The actress, Vidya Balan is amazingly beautiful, and photogenic, but, she didn't look that good in the movie, my friend and I discussed (since we had nothing else better to do during the movie) and came to the conclusion that she needed a better hairdo, a better bra, a gym membership and a more serious acting roles. Her hair was done in a way to make her look younger than Shahid, but she still looked older. She was made to wear bras and corset tops to make her figure look better, that failed as well. She has what Indians would call 'a heavy lower body', she isn't fat, but she looks so in western dresses. She looked gorgeous in Parineeta which was a period film, so she had worn mostly Indian clothes.

The story wasn't too great and even though there wasn't anything original about it, it could have been rendered a thousand times better. The acting, the editing and direction overall was so particularly bad that the story just could not be saved!

It was supposed to be a light, fun, romantic comedy, BUT:
the comic scenes didn't work,
there wasn't much chemistry between the two (she just looked older),
the over-acting made it a pain to watch, and
the movie was so light that it was nothing just fluff and mindlessness.

(The traditional from-my-phone-camera-photo, therefore, not the best quality...)

The most interesting part was that we went to see it at a bad movie theater. Which meant it was cheap and run-down and just really bad! We were told to keep our bags out; they had a token system storage thing at the back. We went through this shady, narrow lane to the place, only to discover it was a man sitting on bare wooden takht (which is like a low table, but in India we put a mattress and cylindrical pillows and use it as a sitting place). My friend and I had doubts, as I was carrying a laptop. We decided to put my bag into her's but upside down so that if one would open, it would take some effort to reach the comp. It wasn’t full-proof safe, but we decided to take a chance. When we went to back to it to deposit it, a policeman was also sitting in the takht. He asked if there was any laptop and I hesitatingly told him yes. Then he said we can take it in, they will just check it. All this was due to the ‘strict’ security checks at public places.

Anyhow, during the movie, when a song would start, the lower regions would start howling and whistling, but because the songs were not really sleazy, the noise just fizzled out like a bad cola. And people clapped for the most stupid things! When people go watch a movie out here, they do so to have fun. Because really, there aren’t many places the middle and lower class man can go for entertainment. There aren’t affordable places for enjoyment that also are safe for women. Either its such upper-class stuff, where I don’t fit in as I am too chilled out and happy-go-lucky a person to buy branded stuff and be all snooty page three! Or it’s the roadside “Wine and Beer” shops that cater to the low class. So where does the middle class go?

I complain about lack of fun-spots (to myself mostly), because my friends don’t really go to bars or clubs and I would not go there alone. I want to have the company of friend to have fun... And actually I don't even like bars and clubs so much, just wish there was go-carting, or ice-skating rinks, or bowling alleys, or gaming centers (with purikura and taiko drums!) or... u get my drift!

I wish there were Karaoke places here like in Japan - affordable and accessible. Most of all, I wish there was more safety for women so we could go out without having a male escort to protect us. Yesterday, I came home at quarter to eleven in the night, but I could do so only because of the Metro. And still my parents worried about how I will get back home! If there was a safe environment, maybe parents would allow their kids to go out more, and that would create a demand for more places, and having more places means that the overall standard would increase n price would decrease; and it would also allow men to see women for who they are and not merely sex objects, thereby increasing security!

effects of time

the butt-end of the affair!

so, I went and took the UGC NET again! This was the fifth time. One of my friend was saying that we get 30 goes at it. I don't think I shall be wasting time trying to reach that target!! I have become fed-up of this bi-annual pain in the ass. It so frustrating. This time, there was a question -
How many keys are there at least on the keyboard? a) 91 b)101 c)111 d)121
Yes, my future as a university lecturer depends upon whether I have sat down and counted the number of key on the keypad of the computer I am using because I have no other meaningful thing to do in life!
I am so sick of taking this stupid exam! Also, when I said "pain in the ass" I didn't just mean it figuratively. I meant it literally as well! I actually suffered from a big fat rash on my buttocks each from sitting on a tiny hard wood bench in this dilapidated school which was the exam center. They always have this exam in the worst centers and in the worst weather conditions, last Sunday of June is boiling and last Sunday of December is freezing.
If I don't clear it this time, I don't know if I have the will left in me to give it again! I did relatively better than last time I gave it. Well, I heard last time nobody we know cleared it, so there! That exam was particularly bad. Keeping my fingers crossed...

I do have a piece of good news. After I came back home, I went for a medical check-up downstairs. The Medical team of an NGO had come to our apartment building. They are trying to make people aware of making healthier lifestyle choices to combat the most commonly found illness of modern middle class of Delhi, like heart-diseases, obesity, diabetes etc. And I found out I have grown taller. I used to be 5 feet 4.5 inches tall, but now I am 5ft 5"! :) nothing to be so glad about actually.. but whatever. it made me happy for a while. Weight-wise I still need more time and effort.

counting calories...

After a really long time I ventured out to the center of the city on Tuesday to hang out with a dear friend. We went to Khan Market - apparently one of the most expensive markets in Asia. We went to Cafe Turtle, and had their famous Rs. 180 New York Lemon Cheese Cake piece. It was quite good, maybe not worth 180 bucks for some (that a lot of money for a poor student in Delhi). I know that it was too rich - not money-wise, but rich in calories for me to be having frequently.

Yes, I am becoming one of those people who start thinking about Calories and Glycemic Indexes of food items before thinking of eating them! And, and, when I reached the most happening Metro Station - ie. Rajiv Chowk, there were banners everywhere with health tips and "use the stairs to stay fit" signs. It was like the whole world is telling me, "Go join the gym for heavens!" I have actually lost some weight gained in Okinawa since coming back, but I feel I really need to do more than just yoga! See I found out that I have a blood sugar problem. It was probably due to the food (or lack of it) in Okinawa. Before going, I had a good diet composed of all food groups (excepting meat and fish) and it was great. Once in Oki, everything went haywire. When I cooked for myself at home, it was ok. But when I went out - which was a lot, I relied on rice and veggies (read - kappa maki). At school I was sometimes given a heap of rice by pitying teachers. And its not like basmati rice (ie, non sticky) I would force myself to finish it coz I hate throwing food. I ended up eating more sticky rice for one lunch than I could eat in a week at times. Many times I took a bento of instant noodles to school - clearly the worst type of food choice! Some days at restaurants, I would go hungry for real food and just have a dessert. I ended up eating more carbs, starch and sugar eventually. And my alcohol consumption there also went up tremendously! I remember being tired and grumpy and moody a lot! After an ice cream, I'd be cheerful on a sugar high like never before! David even told me bluntly to get my blood sugar tested. Wish I had done it sooner! All the signs were there, and had I known sooner, I would have made wiser and healthier food decisions in time. But, better late than never... I am now doing all these and exercising too, so I can be the healthier me that I used to be 2 years ago. Just have to go join the gym now to speed up the progress, and also, to guarantee that occasional lapse in the form of a lemon cheese cake. :)

Baby Lizards Addendum

You will never believe what more mischief these little creatures can get involved in!

Yesterday, My mom was directing a new housemaid as she cleaned the house. My mom lifted the cushioned seat of a small settee and Lo! Behold! a tiny lizard squished betwixt wood and foam. Someone must have sat down on it when it had smuggled itself within. The strangest part is how it got underneath the foam cushion in the first place as the settee has a square seat of stiff foam made with exact precision to fit the seat rendering absolutely no space for it to crawl within unless someone actually lifted the cushion and waited while it climbed into it to put the cushion back in place. Thus, when my dear mother saw it, she called me and asked if someone had brought a plastic lizard and placed it there to scare people. A prank I was guilty of when I was 15 years my junior.

(Don't I sound Victorian? It's because I am re-reading Villette with much enthusiasm!)

Thus my dear friends, beware of the baby lizard you may not even realize when you have killed these house gods! I no longer worry. Ever since one crawled up my precious guitar... I can't bother to take care not to kill them if it so happens to be written in their fates.

Baby Lizards...

They are popping out of shells; they are crawling on the floor exposing themselves to sudden death under your feet; they are pooping crapping shitting everywhere; they are hiding behind my books menacingly; and they give absolutely no warning before dropping from the ceiling and crawling in the nicely made bed you are about to sleep in.

I am trying, trying extremely hard to co-exit with these creatures. After all they are considered house gods in Okinawa and they eat the disease-spreading mosquitoes. But seriously, these tiny lizards are driving me nuts. I am not completely phobic about lizards, but I am nonetheless always surprised by their appearance and I just wish they would be invisible to me! Some years ago, one dropped on my head as I opened the door to enter the bedroom to sleep and the tiny thing got caught in my hair and I had to take a shower in the middle of the night! Two more times before lizards have fallen and crawled down me. Can anyone blame me for not liking them??

There is another big fat one that lives atop our television set. I think its a she, and a she which produced all these tiny ones. This big fat momma always jumps out when you go near the TV to switch it off. And it jumps with a plop that makes you jump out of your skin! I may be a vegetarian and an animal lover, but I hate lizards. And all creatures are cute as babies, EXCEPT LIZARDS!!!

nothing to say...

I have at least 5 entries saved in the drafts and I am unsatisfied with all of them. It seems I have nothing important or worthwhile to publish over the world wide web. can only think of selfish needs at the moment and sound utterly pathetic in doing so. a couple of days back, my mom knocked on my door saying, "your Okinawa is on TV." It was a documentary called Modern Marvels on the Discovery Channel. The episode was about the reconstruction of the new Churaumi Aquarium. I learnt some more information about my aquarium (no-one can make me stop calling it mine!!!) But more than the info, it was the memories that got recharged. I miss Okinawa so much, it breaks my heart. When will I stop missing it this much? I do deeply regret not staying on, even though I have been enjoying M. Phil. as much as it can really be 'enjoyed.' My blog is useless. It comes off as a collection of depressive grumblings of regret. Sorry folks, won't happen again!

Rain, rain, don't go away!

It's been raining heartily in Delhi for a week now and the weather has been gorgeous. Still is, actually. I am sitting without a fan spinning over my head and still getting the occasional goosebumps as the chilly winds seep into the house from open doors and windows. Its not May weather for Delhi at all, as I recall what May used to be like! Its more like March minus the chance of hailstones. The Met. Dept. had predicted heat again for this week, but today's rain has prolonged the nice weather a little more. Even though the weather is lovely and I don't really want it to change until October! I still am worried what this freakiness of nature might have in store for us. I wonder if these rains might spoil the Monsoons. I do hope not!

Go Green!

I got some plants from my mausi today! (mausi = mom's sis)

I have spent an hour with my mum potting them and repotting the old ones we had. I don't remember another time when I felt so satisfied with a project. There is something about taking care of a plant like no other. With a pet like a dog or cat, u just need to love, feed, walk and vaccinate them, besides the occassional grooming, and training. But a plant is so much different. One just can't water a plant and think, "Oh well! That's done with!" There is potting, feeding, watering, misting, light and so much more to taking care of a plant. I would say that taking care of a dog would require less of me personally than keeping a plant alive and thriving.

I have been coming up with fantastical notions of how to get some greenery around. And ever since the news headline read "Humans Have 10 More Years to Save the Earth," my grey cells have put every other thought on a hold. It was very difficult to write my research paper proposals and the last short paper for submission!

Nowadays, I am less stressed. I have only 2 long papers to give in by 15th of July, the NET on 29th of June, and that is all. Ergo, I am embarking on my green projects now. The plants look adorable right now! Photos later!

Earth Day

From time to time, in my life, I suffer from a strange depression. It has nothing to do with my personal life, in the sense that it is not about me. It relates to me, yes, but on a level beyond me. I think I must start calling it my "green" depression. It occurs because I start thinking about all that is happening in this world that is destroying our beautiful planet. I cry, and cannot stop crying, because it seems to be an unresolvable problem. This depression is really severe. Not suicidal, of course. But just imagine, I can't think of anything else right now until I get this off my chest. I have a paper day after, and I need to research 3 long paper proposals, but here I am! writing this blog posting... I don't know how I finally snap out of this mood, because the issue doesn't quite dissolve, I never forget about it... I think, I console myself with hope.

Hope is the only thing perhaps that keeps me going. I HOPE that maybe gradually we will learn to nurture and cherish the environment. That we will accomplish successfully the preservation of valuable Eco-systems of the Earth. That we will preserve the beauty and goodness of nature for future generations - and preserve it not merely on film, but in actual tangible reality. I hope that issues of environmental concern will be a priority someday for most _if not all_ of Earth's population. I hope that we will wake up before irreversible damage is done.

What depresses me most is when I think of all the poor and the recently-not-so-poor percentages of people on this planet for whom a daily hand to mouth existence excuses their slight regard for the environment. When there is no full meal to be had in a day, then why must one care to not cut a tree for fuel on a cold winter day? True, that it is the moral responsibility of those like me in more fortunate circumstances to take the lead. And yet I see educated youth like me contributing to the attitude of "I-give-a-damn-about-anything-but-frivolities" that seems to be pervading DU these days. I am not wholly pessimistic, but I am not fully optimistic either. And there does exist a middle ground. It is called hope.

I wanted to plant a tree today, to complete a 101 in 1001 goal while also commemorating Earth Day. But I changed my mind and felt it would be too cliched. Instead, I have resolved to plant more that one tree on any random day in the coming future, for everyday must be Earth Day. I will attempt to grow them from seed, just so that I know how its done, when it is time for me to teach my children the same.

Fire Fire!

On Thursday, 17th of April, I would have had what would have been my last ever short paper presentation of M. Phil. But, the Olympic torch came to town that day. The tight security in the Rajpath area of Delhi for the torch relay necessitated road blocks and disconnectivity through the metro. Until 11 o clock that night before, I had no clue that such a thing would happen to postpone my paper. I had just gotten off the phone with a friend to whom I was cribbing how I wasn't ready etc. And I got a call from a course-mate who lives 10 mins away. She informed me of the possible commuting upheaval. I called up my supervisor in the morning and now I have my last and final short p.p. the coming Thursday! Am so excited about getting over with them! But how lucky am I? I so needed a little more time to polish my p.p. and I had been exhausted. The Monday before I found myself walking the distance of perhap 3 kms in the 1.30 pm sun! Tuesday was similar, but less walking. I was tired and pukish and wanted to die that day! So, it was a relief actually, to postpone my paper!

But, I am not done talking about this silly torch relay hungama! What utter nonsense it was! The distance of 2.75 km was cordoned off as if a nuclear test was scheduled there. And for what? For 70 runners to carry the torch in the name of "peace" and "harmony". My mother switched the TV on for its live telecast and I was seething while watching such a stupid thing. First of all, this is a sporting event, so what were saif ali khan, sagarika ghosh, and aamir khan (You disappointed me big time aamir!) doing there? Was this a bollywood movie shooting? I am proud of Jaspal Rana (our gold-medalist shooter) for having refused to carry the torch on this same reason. Secondly, was so much security really needed for a just a gesture? For the carrying of the flame is just that - a gesture. I am proud of Kiram Bedi (the most awesome police-woman in this universe) for criticizing the barricading and not carrying the torch in a "cage". Thirdly, the Tibet issue. Everyone who gave a speech, diplomatically avoided the issue but mentioned vague terms of harmony for all and goodwill and so forth. Now, I do agree that pro-Tibet protesters could not have found a better time to strike while the China-iron is so red-hot with the Olympics round the corner. But really, why don't people stop the diplomatic bullshitting and just be forthright for once. Especially India. We don't want to spoil our already volatile relations with china. So we bow down and ignore the many Tibetan refugees in our own territory. We ignore the fact that china still claims Ladaakh and Arunachal Pradesh in the name of Tibet. We ignore that we had a war with china because of its territorial greed. I know I want the impossible, but I do hope Tibet will be free one day. And that the Indian police be more sensible when coordinating such security affairs. My sister was stuck in the traffic for over 3 hours coming back home that day and those going to Gurgoan were stuck for longer than that! It was a nightmare!

Piss-on-Juhi-Didi Day!

This cute and adorable baby is our neighbour's son. His name is Aarav. "Aarav" is a hindi word which means peaceful, calm or serene. Aarav used to be what his name signified when he could not sit up by himself, and that was a few months ago. Now he can crawl faster than the speed of light and can roar louder than a sonic boom. Yesterday he happened to piss on me twice... not that I minded it very much, he is the cutest baby in town after all!
Rash summers and nappie rashes resulted in lack of diapers.. and you can figure out the rest. They say that it is a blessing to be pissed upon by a babe... if that's the case, then thank you very much! But please be benevolent on someone else next time! :)

(May 5th, 2008: I have removed the picture of Aarav. He is very sick and has been sick for quite some time now. I feel that maybe my posting a picture of him has allowed an evil eye to be cast at him! yes yes, i am superstitous about this... too bad for people who poo-pooh me on this one!! I don't care for your opinions! I just hope this lil gesture of mine may get him well again. poor babe has been admitted in the hospital! :( !!)

world water day

Maybe this might gross some people out there...!! heheheh!

Today was an Indian Festival called Holi. On this day, a carnivalesque colour riot and bhang induced bacchanals take place. Ironically, today was also the World Water Day. Usually, after playing Holi, we need to take long showers to get the colours off. And people throw water - coloured or not - at each other. As kids, my cousins and I would pelt water balloons from the roof at unsuspecting passerby (an annoying tradition that still takes place)! At the hostel, we would all climb and jump into the big monstrosity of a fountain and spray water from hoses at each other! Last year David threw water balloons at me after I told him about Holi!

Basically, Holi means the opposite of water conservation!

This year, my family didn't play Holi as it is usually played; and therefore, we were not seeped in colour. So, none of us took showers! And since the housecleaning lady had a holiday, two full buckets of water for mopping the house was saved. Can you imagine how much water was spared from four people not taking a shower? Even though it was not exactly premeditated, yet is was a bit like Earth Hour... our little contribution in easing the water crisis!

"F---, those imperialists!" ??

today, I went to the arts fac to pick up some readings. and I saw some students protesting about the Tibet issue at the Vivekananda statue where every other day there is a protest march / something or the other...

I bumped into a communist friend of mine later that day... I happened to mildly taunt him (to my utter mistake!) "How can you be a communist when Chin..." and I was interrupted with a shouting string of words that were inappropriate, to put it mildly... Never expected such language coming out of the mouth it was coming from! I was, to say the least, taken aback. didn't know what to say. and wished I could rewind time. Then followed what on his side was a heated debate, while I mildly (and somewhat scared to say anything) interjected with calm observations for him to heatedly and passionately debunk. I 'think' I am 'glad' to 'lose' in this 'confab'. (can you see my confusion?)

He made some good points and I wish he didn't think he needed to be so angry and vehement. I would have gladly appreciated his novel views. Especially because I don't trust the media or the newspapers. So it is interesting to get a view that is not the commonly accepted opinion that has been generated by the Media.

He argued against Tibet for these reasons: (May I stress here I DO NOT agree with him, am merely stating his views!! )

1. Tibet was never an independent state in the first place that China forcefully occupied. the freedom movement is a development which happened in response to the Chinese revolution.
2. Tibet once freed will be a theocratic, feudalistic state - which is bad since it is a retrogression. and a return to the middle ages.
3. He called Dalai Lama names (which I was horrified to hear!) and said that he(Dalai Lama) is a mere figurehead of American neo-imperialist capitalist propaganda.
4. This fight for independence is funded by America whose sole purpose is to have a strategically placed military base in Tibet.

Now, I only pointed to him that Dalai Lama does not wish for Tibet to be an autonomous state. and if the people of Tibet want independence, then they should get it. Why is China so adamant to keep Tibet? Secondly, what is so wrong in a theocratic state? "Live and let live" has been my motto, and I abide by it. I am not a very religious person, but I admire those who follow their religion for themselves and not shove it in other people's faces, and I don't think Tibet is doing that. On the other hand China must realise that suppression of this sort cannot be tolerated. Ben recently visited Tibet and what he told me shocked me. I will not repeat it here, but lets just say it wasn't all flattering for what China has done to Tibet. I feel yet the Chinese policy in essence is wrong.

But whatever it may be, I hope I will not bump into this friend soon. I am not ready for the string of curses again!!!

two JUs and a ben

So... brace yourself, this is gonna be a long one!

I think Ben amd Julliette came on Tuesday ... I don't remember exactly as I am vague with dates before a paper. Ben called me at about noon-ish. I was still asleep, I probably fell asleep at some unearthly hour in the morning, so I spoke groggily I guess, but was so happy to hear his voice at the other end! I couldnt meet them the same day, what with my paper presentation on Hogarth coming up that friday... I wish I had nothing, then I would have bunked and gone to Jaipur with them! But no, so they went on ahead and I got over with my presentation.

That Friday, the class got over quite late. I wanted to be home soon so I could clean up and prepare for their arrival. The guest night at my old hostel was also that friday. I wish the guest night was another day, so I could have gone to it! It went quite well I hear, everyone had a lot of fun. I decided it was unfair on my mom... so came back home like a good daughter. I was under the impression that they would come to Delhi on Saturday, but appearently they took a bus back and came back that same Friday. It was good I didn't spontaneously decide to go to the hostel instead of coming home. Ben called when I was in the Metro. was near Dwarka, so couldn't go back to pick them up. I gave Ben directions and told them I would receive them at my station. till then I ran and got food supplies and cleaned up the house a bit!

As I marched to the station to receive them, a metro approached and I just instinctly knew that they were in it. I stood at the exit and saw everyone from the train trickle past me. I felt my instincts may have deceived me, but then there they were - two very obvious foreigners with huge backpacks coming down last! after bearhugs, we came home with slight arguments with the rickshaw-wala. we had dinner in dim light, coz I had accidently blown a fuse with my table lamp and we had thought it was a power cut! (oops!!)

The next day we headed out on a sightseeing tour of Delhi. I hired a taxi coz I still don't have a drivers licenseand a car! Anyhow, after driving past Rashtrapati Bhawan, or the President's House, we stopped at India Gate. It is such a stark remenant of Indai's colonial past, yet it is dedicated to the 'amar jawan' - the immortal soldier. Of course there we encountered numerous beggars, peddlers trying to sell us useless articles, and people excited to see foreigners, wanting to click pictures with them... very annoying in my opinion. Ben poking us Ju's was infinitely better than having that constant pestering from that JUnta :) !!

After India Gate, we headed to Purana Quila or Old Fort. Ben spun Juliette around much to the ashtonishment to passerbys. And he climbed a tree seaching for a squirrel for her (these two are so cute!) I in the meanwhile was an extremely bad guide. I didn't know my history or what it was I was showing! Will def. read up for the next bunch of visitors. and I also kept talking to a travel agent to organize a trip to Khajuraho. While talking and walking about I accidently led them to a place were about 3-4 couples were 'making out' the Indian way. When I realized after 10 mins of talking loudly in that place disturbing the couples' privacy, I was so embarrassed! Mortified of having led B&J there! :p

After Purana Quila, we then headed over to Lotus Temple, which is probably one of my favourite spots in Delhi. Only there can one sit in peace and quiet for a moment. It is the Bahai temple of worship. It reminds one of the Sidney Opera House, but it is the shape of a lotus flower. Inside, the benches are marble topped! It is cool inside and on a summer day, the best place on earth to be! After all that peace it is ironic what happened next! While trying to get out of the stuffed parking lot, I blew my cool as there was absolute chaos! Cars were parked blocking other cars, and the parking attendants did nothing to help. When they finally stopped the flow of traffic into the overflowing place, some moron drove the car on the wrong side, blocking our way to go! Gah! there is no respect for a system in this country!!! I was more angry as we still need to see Qutub Minar and stop at the travel agents office. I shouted at people and Ben was surprised to see that side of me! We rushed to the travel agent's posh office in saket after Lotus temple, where we bought the tickets for Khajuraho.

After that we went to Qutub Minar. I really like it there too. The ruins are remarkable.

We went to Dili Haat next, where we ate chaat and shopped. As we were leaving, a girl came up to us and I told her in hindi slang to scat. The word can be pronounced to mean 'to burst' and she started cracking up saying that I am not a coconut that I can burst and so forth. she was quite cute actually and I ended up buying her an ice-cream to the girls extreme delight. But a woman with a babe came begging and I just got mad! You help one, and they all come crowding as if you are a money bag with all this dirty cash sprouting from under your armpits that you must rid yourself off and give to them instead. I don't have disposable income! In fact, I don't have any income at all! Sometimes you just have to make your heart into stone. I refused her and kept feeling guilty most of the way home! (Ahh! I still do!)
The next day (Sunday), Juliette went to Agra early in the morning. And I and Ben had a lazy day. We talked and then got ready in the late afternoon and I took him to Khan Market. After a round of Khan Chacha's kebab and paneer rolls, we decided to chill at a cafe. I thought Baristas, but then we ended up at Choko La. Mmmmm. I love that place! Its expensive for India, but its so neat (and very non-Indian). We ordered the first and the last item in the menu and something from in-between! I wanted to show Ben my university, but then it was a Sunday, and it was dark. So, we went back home. Juliette had already returned and she was not feeling well. She had a rough day, and the next day we had to go to Khajuraho!

We caught the Rajdhani train to Jhansi from New Delhi Railway Station. It was a coach train and we were well served. It was quite nice. They brought water, tea/coffee and breakfast! I didn't know we would get all that, and my mom had packed food for us. From Jhansi we went to Khajuraho via a place called Orrccha. I honestly had not heard of it, nor was inclined to go there. But we had time and the travel agent put it in our itenary... It was hot and I was sleepy. Juliette wasnt well and she sat down in a cool restaurant, while Ben and I went with the guide who for some reason would only describe things in the sunshine! why oh why could he not talk to us in the shade? Anyhow. It wasn't a very great place and we weren't very enthusiastic either!

When we reached the hotel in Khajuraho, we all did a mental doubletake. The place was quite posh. I wasn't prepared for being taken to a hotel with fountains and a swimming pool - ahem! a CLEAN swimming pool! Our room was nice. We settled down and after a while decided to look about the hotel. Juliette rested in the room. Ben and I ended up watching a very random pupet show. it was quite funny! We then also went to see a Sound and Light show at the Western group of Temples. It was a steal! I am too cynical I guess... the 'historical' info was good to get, but overall it was too much money for an hour of boredom. ...and some enthusiast kept taking pics with a blinding flash! Use night-vision, moron!!! Ben and I made fun of the show and I think we offended some people who overheard us!

The next day (Tuesday), after a nice buffet breakfast at the hotel, we headed over to sightsee. boy o boy I was excited! I had wanted to see Khajuraho ever since! Khajuraho is famous for its ancient Indian temples and the erotic sandstone scupltures on the temple walls. They are replete with sculptures of sexual postures that are described in the Kamasutra. But they are not meant to be pornographic, even though it seems to be the case. The sexual union of a couple symbolizes a greater more divine aspect of attaining union with the divine. Esctasy of the flesh is equivalent to esctasy of salvation.

We went to the western temples first. Juliette -poor soul - was too sick to enjoy. She mostly sat while the guide took Ben and I around. The guide was god enough. He did seem to have a naughty side to him. When decribing some of the erotic scupltures he would sort of snigger. I kept a very stone face coz he would at times point to certain things... He sort of challenged me to enter into his naughty little joke, which I thought unappropriate! We bumped into an indian expatriate couple whose guide was excessively friendly and jolly. I wish he were our guide instead! He had a flair with what he was describing, and nothing naughty about him.

We went to the Eastern group via the hotel where we dropped Juliette off. It was much better for her to sit in the cool lobby rather that the hot open air or stuffy car while we looked about. The eastern group were less impressive. They also occupied a smaller area than the previous group. The effects of time were, however, more visible on them. They are Jaina temples, and one is still functional. The temples had sustained much destruction, but were renovated and the ugly new parts stand in stark contrast. There were huge mango trees in the courtyard which reminded me of the coming mango season!! yummm! too bad B&J would leave before mangoes flood the market.

We returned to the hotel and found Juliette reading God of Small Things by the carom table. I showed them how to paly and we proceeded to play carom while I explained some Indian references in the book to Juliette. Ironically, I lost to both B&J! Coz my striker kept going into the hole and I had to forfeit my points!

We lunched at an Italian place, ate fettuccine! and then headed back to Jhansi to catch the train back to Delhi. When we reached Jhansi in the evening, we found out that our ticket was schedule for the next day! The agent who recieved us told me to give some money to him while he got us tickets and we could go eat dinner. Our appetite (if any) vanished and I didn't feel good about just giving money like that! I called up dad and discussed what to do. B&J had a flight the next night so it was important for us to leave the same night! We then went over to the railway station and while Ben and Juliette stayed in the waiting area, I went with the dude to see what could be done. We got general tickets and then went ot speak with the TC of the train if we could get berths. After much tension, we got seats and came to Delhi the next morning somehow! at the station in Delhi, the auto-rickshaw guys mobbed us. the prepaid booth was closed so I was in a fix. called up dad to ask what shud the cost be around so I could negotiate. (Thank God Dad was in Delhi!) One man said 250 rupees to dwarka! But then the booth opened and we went there. A guy said to me, "Madam, don't get a slip, give me 200 rupees, I will take you." When I got a slip, I paid only 145 rupees!!

The auto guy that took us stopped at a gas station as soon as we were on the way. He was rude and I was perturbed. Why couldn't he have filled it beforehand? The thing is, you have to get out of the scooter when its being filled, and I had opened a shawl and we were sitting snug as possible inside. The auto guy rudely drove away from the station and I blew my cool. I told him to stop the scooter immediately and let me what the F was his problem. He then became sweet as sugar and we reached home without any gas running out on us! He was just being a bastard, he had enough gas!After catching up some sleep that morning, we got ready and went to get the plane tickets. It was taking time, and they couldn't accept a debit card, so we went to CP in search of the bank. the ATM was not giving cash, and the bank wasnt helpful. In the meantime the travel agency calls to say that the airline gave away one of the tickets! But we got the next day's and I asked them to issue it before it was given away too! Thankfully, without an advance, they issued it on trust... But the money, there was still none to pay for the ticket yet! so we decided to head back home and use the internet to call the customer service. we tried calling the 'toll-free' number from my cellphone and ended up with an international call that took forever! but before we returned home, we stopped over at the Oxford Bookstore. and also to Nirula's where Ben bought the ice-cream he lost to me in a bet! on the way to Jhansi to Khajuraho we had this bet. Ben would not agree when I said that the capital of Guatemala is Guatemala City. He thought I was confusing it with Panama. I was myself unsure at first, but then I knew I was right, so I bet him! And won! hahahah! will gloat about it forever...

Juliette was feeling much better that day, and she was finally eating food! so it was a good day! we returned home, Ben spoke to his customer service executive in Bangalore and it was all good! We slept early and next day tried to get money. It worked and Ben got out some, but then it stopped! we went in search for an internet cafe. it seemed like innumerable hurdles had to be crossed! the 1st cafe didnt have headphones.. the 2nd cafe didnt have skype. they downloaded it and the electricity went. the comp ben was using had no backup. so we shifted to Juliette's who took another comp. and we waited for skype to download all over again! but finally ben spoke to a scottish lady who fixed the prob. we got the money, bought the ticket and heaved a sigh of relief!

After that, a round of shopping at Palika Bazaar, Janpath and off to Sarvana for some good South Indian food and the Game. Oh shit! I just lost it! For those who don't know the Game, you are so much better off!

We came back home, with an half an hour for last minute packing before B & J left. We hired a car to drop them off at the airport. I chose not to go, since it was dark and I'd return alone. And this way I wouldn't start crying! An ambassador car came to take them. I was glad, coz it is such an Indian car!

Those six days passed by so quickly! When I came back to my apartment, after having waved them off downstairs, I felt like there was a baby gap. The study, emptied of the backpacks looked strangely deserted. and I longed for Ben's company and conversation. It took me a week back to get into M. Phil mode. and I can finally rest in peace now that I have written this blog overcoming my nostalgia! :)